Easy to Vote in Ohio

June 13, 2014

To the Editor:

Earlier this year, you opined that “Ohio mistrusts democracy” (editorial, March 16), and now you say there are “more voting games in Ohio” (editorial, June 10). In fact, in Ohio, we make it easier to vote and provide many options to accommodate all Ohioans equally.

This November, under a schedule recommended by Democratic and Republican local election officials, Ohio voters will have four weeks to cast a ballot in person at their local board of elections, including on two Saturdays. But if they so choose, these same voters don’t even have to leave home to cast their ballots, as my office will send absentee-ballot applications to all registered voters.

Yes, no lines and four weeks to vote without ever leaving home. And let’s not forget Election Day itself, when local polling places will be open for 13 hours.

We are well above the national average when it comes to voter access, exceeding the opportunities in our neighboring states. In a recent Pew study of how states conduct elections, Ohio moved up to 24 from 37, and New York ranked 47.

Ohio is a leader in voter access. We will continue to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat. And as secretary of state, I will spend my time encouraging Ohio voters to use their many options to vote rather than trying to scare people into believing that it’s hard. That’s the real voter suppression.